Linus Torvalds Expresses Frustration Over Unreliable Hardware

Linux creator Linus Torvalds has openly voiced his frustration over issues stemming from Intel’s processors, saying it’s time to stop compensating for buggy hardware in Linux. Torvalds expressed his strong stance on the Linux Kernel Mailing List, a platform where he frequently addresses challenges in the Linux community. According to him, the problem lies squarely with the hardware, not Linux itself. Torvalds suggested that Linux kernel developers should stop adjusting the software to fix hardware issues, placing the responsibility back onto hardware manufacturers.

A Call for Accountability

In the past week, Torvalds has been critical of changes proposed to the Linux kernel that aim to address hardware faults, especially those impacting security and functionality. He argued that Linux shouldn’t have to work around issues originating from Intel’s processors, stating that Linux isn’t the one “broken” in this scenario. This attitude was echoed in his blunt response to developers: “I think this time we push back on the hardware people and tell them it’s THEIR damn problem, and if they can’t even be bothered to say yay-or-nay, we just sit tight.” This suggests he believes developers should refuse to cater to unreliable hardware and instead wait for hardware teams to address the issues directly.

Discontent with Theoretical Vulnerabilities

One of Torvalds’ main grievances is the kernel patches designed to address theoretical vulnerabilities in hardware—potential threats that have never been exploited in practice. He noted, “Honestly, I’m pretty damn fed up with buggy hardware and completely theoretical attacks that have never actually shown themselves to be used in practice.” By his estimation, focusing on these hypothetical issues burdens developers unnecessarily, creates compatibility concerns, and distracts from genuine advancements in the Linux kernel.

Complications with Proposed Kernel Changes

Torvalds’ recent complaints reflect real challenges with compatibility. He pointed to proposed kernel changes that may not work with Intel’s Linear Address Masking (LAM) on future Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake processors as one example. The attempt to adapt the OS to these faulty hardware configurations complicates matters not only for Linux developers but also creates broader compatibility problems across different hardware setups.

A Stand for Quality

Ultimately, Torvalds’ frustrations highlight a broader stance: that open-source developers shouldn’t bear the burden of making software compatible with subpar hardware. His comments suggest a call for hardware manufacturers to take greater responsibility for quality control. As Linux continues to evolve, Torvalds’ message resonates with developers facing similar challenges in building resilient software.